Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Part of Newfound Gap Road will be closed indefinitely due to landslide

A landslide along Newfound Gap Road near mile marker 22 has caused an extended closure of the road. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) due to a landslide which undercut the road near mile marker 22 between Collins Creeks and Webb Overlook at 9:40 am. The slide is estimated to be a 200 foot section of road extending 1000 foot down slope, but the full extent of the damage is not yet known. The closure is expected to be in effect for an extended period of time.

The park is evaluating the remainder of the roadway, but anticipates Newfound Gap Road will be opened to visitors from the Gatlinburg Entrance in Tennessee to Newfound Gap Parking lot as soon as it is possible. The road will be open to Smokemont on the North Carolina side.

Park staff are working with the Department of Federal Highway’s Construction and Geotechnical Services to evaluate the slide damage and to begin planning for repairs. Additional details will be released as the condition assessments are analyzed.

As of midnight, Tuesday, January 15, the park received 8.56 inches of rain measured at Cherokee, 7.4 inches at Newfound Gap and 6.86 inches at LeConte. Rivers and streams have been running fast and high since Sunday when the rains began. More rain is expected for the area today and tomorrow.

There are currently multiple temporary road closures throughout the park due to high water, including:

I so hope that they keep the road as natural as possible.I love this drive over the mountain.We were planning on driving up to see the snow but, we might not cause we don't like to drive I40..We love these mountains!

I'm coming up on the 21st and we always go 441 to Cherokee and across the mountain to Gatlinburg. Is this the road that is closed, from Cherokee to Gatlinburg (across the mountain) Im not sure if i need to find a new route because we have to be in Piegon Forge. Thanks for you help!!!!